Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air Offer Guidance to Passengers Regarding New Ban on Carrying Liquids Onboard Aircraft

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are waiving change fees or offering ticket refunds for passengers traveling through Aug. 14 who elect to delay or cancel travel after the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) instituted new security measures today.

The TSA is currently prohibiting all liquids and gels in carry-on luggage.

Change fees will be waived if travel commences by Sept. 10. Refunds will be offered for passengers who do not have new dates for travel. The policy applies to purchased and Mileage Plan award tickets.

Alaska and Horizon also announced that unaccompanied minors and pets traveling with passengers will not be allowed to board flights today due to the increased likelihood of schedule disruptions.

The two carriers encourage travelers not to bring any carry-on luggage and to check all their baggage.

Passengers with carry-on luggage will not be allowed through security checkpoints with any liquids, including beverages, shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, toothpaste, hair gel and other items of similar consistency.

  Three exceptions to the ban on liquids currently include:

  -- Baby formula, breast milk or juice -- providing an infant or small
     child is traveling.
  -- Prescription medication bearing the name that matches the passenger's
     ticket.
  -- Insulin and other essential non-prescription medication.

Travelers are advised to check the TSA Web site at www.tsa.gov for the most current information on security restrictions.

Travelers who buy coffee or other beverages after passing through airport security will be required to finish them before boarding their flight.

Due to longer security lines, travelers are encouraged to check airport Web sites to determine how much earlier they should arrive before their flight. At least two hours is advised.

Alaska Airlines and sister carrier, Horizon Air, together serve 88 cities through an expansive network throughout Alaska, the Lower 48, Canada and Mexico. For reservations visit alaskaair.com . For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom .

SOURCE: Alaska Airlines